3x a week

Exercising three times a week significantly cuts the risk of developing breast cancer, research shows.

Experts looked at data from 131,000 women and found “strong evidence” that staying physically active reduced the chance of developing the disease.

ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie says the study outcome is yet another piece of evidence that exercise is the wonder drug.

“Breast cancer is New Zealand’s third most common cancer and accounts for more than 600 deaths every year, according to the Ministry of Health.

“Exercise is also proven to improve quality of life for cancer survivors who continue during physical activity treatment,” he says.
High-intensity exercise such as running intervals appeared to be more protective than light exercise, according to the study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Women who did vigorous exercise such as having a workout at least three days a week had a 38 percent lower risk of getting breast cancer. There was a similar reduction for women who were generally fit and active throughout their lifetime.

The findings were generally consistent across all types and stages of the disease prompting the researchers to recommend a stronger focus on exercise as a way of warding off breast cancer.